Outback Bachelors Hatching Plans

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30737, 29 April 1965, Page 2

Outback Bachelors Hatching Plans

(N.Z. Press Assn. —Copyright > ADELAIDE, April 26. Tennant Creek, the town of 150 lonely bachelor*, i* discussing a plan to bring girl* from various Australian state* for an all-expen*es paid holiday to their settlement. The idea eould even spread into a major overseas tourist attraction if local politicians have their way.

They have come up with the idea after the visit of 21-year-old Diane McNiece of Melbourne last year. Diane, i vivacious redhead, offered

to visit the town on her holidays if the miners “put in” for her air fare.

Old identities- in town say the visit was the most exciting time the place has seen since they discovered gold. Mr Michael O'Connor, the local publican, talked about the latest plan by telephone today. He said Mr Len Purkiss, the town’s representative in the Northern Territory Legislative Council, and Mr Jock Nelson, the Territory's representative in the Federal Parliament, thought it was a “mighty fine idea.” “Most of the lads are interested and you wouldn't

have any trouble getting the money,” he said. "There has been a lot of talk out at the mine and in the pub about it. “But we have to decide on how to choose the girls. It may be a few months before anything happens.”

Mr O’Connor is as keen as the rest of them—he is a bachelor too. Since Diane McNiece’s visit to the town letters from women have come in from all over the world. They are still coming. Mr O’Connor said many of them were addressed merely to “Tennant, Australia.” Many of the men were

writing to the women and some were “fair dinkum” about bringing them to the town.